Response of amphibians to clearcutting, burning, and glyphosate application in the Oregon Coast Range

Published source details Cole E.C., McComb W.C., Newton M., Chambers C.L. & Leeming J.P. (1997) Response of amphibians to clearcutting, burning, and glyphosate application in the Oregon Coast Range. Journal of Wildlife Management, 61, 656-664.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Retain riparian buffer strips during timber harvest Action Link

Retain riparian buffer strips during timber harvest

A controlled, before-and-after study in 1988–1991 at three hardwood forest sites in Oregon, USA (Cole et al. 1997) found that the effects of retaining riparian buffer zones on amphibians were unclear. Three of six species showed no changes in capture rates after total clearcutting and no significant differences in captures in riparian buffers and upslope areas (rough-skin newts Taricha granulosa, Dunn's salamanders Plethodon dunni and red-legged frogs Rana aurora). Capture rates of ensatinas Ensatinae schscholtzii and Pacific giant salamanders Dicamptodon tenebrosus decreased after clearcutting and tended to be lower in buffers than upslope. Western redback salamanders Plethodon vehiculum increased the first year after logging and then decreased. Herbicide treatment had no effect on species. Each site had plots (>8 ha) with each treatment: unharvested control; clearcut and broadcast burned; and clearcut, broadcast burned and sprayed with herbicide (1.3 kg/ha). Clearcuts had 20 m wide untreated riparian buffer strips. Cut sites were planted with fir seedlings. Amphibians were monitored one year before and for two years after treatments using pitfall trapping. Traps were checked daily for eight days in dry and wet seasons.